Tag Archives: Jake’s Cigars and Spirits

Pick of the Week—Saturday, September 1: We know you can choose to watch the Husker game at any number of locations around Omaha, but where else can you celebrate Oktoberfest at the same time? Head to Jerry’s Bar in Benson to enjoy their beer garden, bratwurst, and drink specials all day. Of course, Jerry’s can’t fit you all. If you’re out west, Oscar’s has several essentials for football viewing—booze, wings, and pizza. If you’re looking for something extra, the Caddy Shack Sports Bar and Grill is a longtime favorite among those in the service industry. Lastly, with several locations, DJ’s Dugout is always a safe bet. Regardless of where your favorite place is, be sure to enjoy the kickoff game responsibly. And if you think you’re a superfan, check out our story on actor and comedian Adam Devine here. He drank alllll the Big Red Kool-Aid.

Thursday, August 30: What better way to start the long, Labor Day weekend than with a (free) night of local music at the tavern? Catch The Shineys with Jessica Errett at Harney Street Tavern tonight, starting at 9 p.m. Both acts are former OEAA nominees, so don’t miss the chance to see them play for free. The Shineys’ music showcases their big voices, poignant lyrics, and unique personalities. Errett performs with several local bands and the seasoned singer/songwriter always puts on a good show. Don’t miss your chance to see these lovelies play tonight. Click here for more info.

Friday, August 31: We know what you’re thinking—enough with the Benson already! But why not block party while you still can?! Get to Jake’s Just Because We Can Block Party for some good music, good food, and of course, booze and cigars. You’ll get to hear music from Lincoln and Omaha bands, including long-time favorites Little Brazil. You get all this fun for a mere $5, so there’s no excuse not to go. It all starts at 5 p.m., so maybe you should leave work a little early so you don’t experience FOMO. Plus, you can get a jump on this whole long weekend thing. Learn more here.

Friday, August 31: In case you’ve been too busy chanting to hear, Midnight Movies at the Dundee Theater are back, thanks to Film Streams. The movies will play the last Friday of each month at the Dundee, beginning at 11:55 p.m. This round they’re showing ‘90s cult classic,The Craft. Now is the time. This is the hour. Don’t worry about looking out for weirdos, though. Just embrace them as one of your own. Relax…it’s only magic. Get your tickets for this MTV-era flick here. You’ll be sorry if you don’t!

Sunday, September 2: Neighborfest presents Black Votes Matter Concert for Change this Sunday at The Study. The music will be provided by local acts Dolores Diaz and the Standby Club, Mesonjixx, BXTH, Dana Murray, The Dilla Kids, and more. Workshops, pop-up demos, and vendors will be on hand. There will also be Get Out the Vote speakers on site to raise awareness about election dates and to register voters. Make a pitch for your idea for a community-based project and become eligible to apply for a mini-grant through One Omaha, or just come out and hear what others have to offer. Learn more about this collaborative event here.

With the implementation of Omaha’s indoor smoking ban in 2006, electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have become a popular option for many patrons in local bars and businesses. Kiosks in the mall have started selling the so-called “better for you” cigarettes, and even Jake’s Cigars and Spirits in Benson and House of Loom in Downtown Omaha now sell and allow customers to smoke e-cigs.

Each bar has its own rules about e-cigs; it’s up to the owner’s discretion whether e-cig smoking in their establishment is allowed. Bar owner Tim Addison of Addy’s Bar and Grill in Millard says smoking e-cigs in his business is permissible, though he prefers those with e-cigs go outside “like everyone else.” Addy’s is a family-friendly place, he says, and he feels smoking e-cigs indoors just looks bad. Addison cites a regular customer who comes in often for lunch: “He smokes electronic cigarettes, but he still goes outside out of routine.”

The occasionally disposable but usually rechargeable e-cigs are a battery-powered nicotine delivery system that simulates the act of smoking a traditional cigarette. E-cigs use a mixture of vapor, flavoring, and nicotine to create a smoking affect, and some even have a light at the end that glows when inhaled, mimicking a real cigarette. The controversy surrounding e-cigs, however, is this: while makers claim they help some people quit smoking, they are still not considered a safe alternative to smoking by many health professionals. According to WebMD, e-cigs have different levels of nicotine, so in theory they can be used to lessen one’s addiction to cigarettes, or even help them quit. Unlike Chantix or the Nicotine patch, however, e-cigs are not FDA-approved as smoking cessation aids.

Marketers of e-cigs appeal to the smoking masses with brands like Njoy, Vapor4Life, and Blu Cigs (which is endorsed by actor Stephen Dorff). Blu Cigs offers flavored versions as well, like Magnificent Menth, Vivid Vanilla, and Pina Colada. Njoy even has a disposable version called One Joy. Despite their popularity, the jury is still out on the safety of e-cigs. But as Joy Fortuna from Pcmag.com writes, “E-cigs may help you decrease your dependence on nicotine…It is conceivable that a self-managed program of nicotine step-down might lead to a drug-free lifestyle.”

As far as bar owner Tim Addison is concerned, he plans to use e-cigs to help him kick his own smoking habit “real soon.”